Window frame assembly



3, 1956 J. SYLVAN 2370,01

WINDOW FRAME ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 19, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 E; E: -E 4 a 1., u /52 IN VEN TOR. JOJZPA JV! V/Q/V Nov. 13, 1956 J. SYLVAN 2,770,019

WINDOW FRAME ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 19, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. JOJfP/r 5 71 VA/\/ NOV. 13, 1955 SYLVAN WINDOW FRAME ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 19, 1953 IN V EN TOR.

JOLFf/"l/ 6 71 149A BY a a 6 u w L M,\ w. l w, ifi "2 J1 m a WINDOW F AME ASSEMBLY Joseph Sylvan, Berkley, Mich.

Application November 19, 1953, Serial No.

9 Claims. (Cl. 26-522) This invention relates to improvements in window frame assemblies.

An object of the invention is the provision of a window frame assembly having a pair of opposed jamb assemblies each exhibiting a pair of spaced apart jamb faces. Each jamb face is shaped to define a plurality of sash receiving runway channels. The two jamb faces of each jamb assembly are spaced apart transversely of the jamb providing therebetween a space into which a sash may be shifted to facilitate its removal from the window assembly.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a window frame assembly having laterally spaced apart individual inside and outside metal window frame units adapted to be mounted in a non-conductive supporting frame with the spacing between the units being such that no heat or cold is transmitted from the outside unit to and through the metal frame of the inside unit.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a window assembly having two complete window frame units disposed side by side within a window opening with the units spaced from each other a distance to permit a sash removed one of the units to be disposed in the space between the units and thereafter shifted and angled so that it may be removed from the assembly through one of the units.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a window frame assembly having laterally spaced apart individual window frame units each provided with removable sash guide channels and sash guide channel side walls, with the units so positioned with respect to each other that sashes removed from one unit may be passed through an adjacent unit and thereby removed from the window assembly.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a frame adapted to support therewithin a pair of spaced apart window frame units each exhibiting a plurality of slidable sashes, with the frame and the units comprising a window frame assembly which is adapted to be mounted in the window opening of a wall structure.

A meritorious feature of the invention is the provision of a window assembly having two pairs of laterally spaced apart opposed sash guide channel runways, each of which pair of runways is provided with a removable sash guide channel runway side wall which upon removal will permit a sash mounted in one pair of runways to be removed from the runways and passed through the adjacent pair of runways and thereby removed from the as sembly.

Other objects, advantages and meritorious features of the invention will more fully appear from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the outside of the improved window assembly;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the inside of the improved window assembly;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

2,770,019 Patented Nov. 13, 1956 Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, but showing the upper inner sash guide channel side wall of the inner unit removed;

6 is a cross sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2, but showing the sashes removed from the inner unit and the outer unit, and showing how a sash removed from the outer unit may be disposed between the units and thereafter removed from the assembly through the inner unit;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail of the upper inside corner of one of the units;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the no-draft ventilating position of the sashes;

10 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the sashes elevated in each unit to permit air to pass directly through the window assembly;

Fi g. 11 is a cross sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view of the upper right hand corner of the frame shown in Fig. l; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary View of the outer left hand corner of the frame shown in Fig. 2.

in carrying out the objects of the invention, the window frame assembly comprises four sub-assemblies: a header assembly 14, a sill assembly 16, and a pair of opposed jamb assemblies 18 and 20. The sub-assemblies taken together include a generally rectangular, nonconductive supporting frame formed of wood or the like and pro vided with a header rail 22, a sill rail 2 3, and a pair of opposed side rails 26 and 28. The nonconductive character or the frame prevents any appreciable transmission of heat or cold through the frame when it is mounted in the window opening of a wall structure. The header and sill raiis overlie the ends of the side rails and are secured thereto as shown in Figs. ll, 12, and 13 in any convenient manner as by nails, screws or the like, 29.

Extending along the opposed faces of the side rails from the header rail to the sill rail are two pairs of opposed positioning stops with the stops of one pair indicated as 3t; and 32, and the stops of the other pair indicated as 34 and 336. Extendingalong the sill rail between the iower ends of the pairs of positioning stops on the side rails are two sill positioning stops 38 and 4th. The positioning stops are secured to the side rails and the sill rail in any convenient manner as by nails 42, or the like.

The stops are adapted to position a pair of individual metal, inside and outside window frame units within the supporting frame. These units when taken together with the supporting frame form the Window frame assembly. The header, sill and opposed jarnb members of the units, taken with their respective rails of the supporting frame, form the sub-assemblies above mentioned. The utsidc unit is generally indicated as 44 and the inside unit generally indicated as 46. Each unit is formed of metal such as tight-weight aluminum, stainless steel, or the like. The outer unit includes a header member 48, sill member 49, and a pair of opposed jamb members 5-; and St. The header member is formed of three pieces of sheet metal shaped as shown in Fig. '7. A header facing piece 52 is bent to overlie the outer edge and the upper and lower faces of the header rail 22. adjacent the outer ed The portion 53 of this piece overlying the upper f w of the header rail 22, is adapted to be wedged between the rail and the upper portion of a window opening wall structure when the assembly is mounted in such window opening. Portions S3 and 54 are tensioned toward each other to position and hold the facing strip or. the rail 22 as shown in Ei-g. 7.

A lower portion 54 of piece 50 extends under the underside of rail 22 and is bent downwardly and upon itself as at 55 to form a U-shaped channel 56. Received within this U-shaped channel 56 is one leg 58 of a U-shaped member 60. The side Walls of member 60 are tensioned toward each other to grip the top rail of a sash U-62 disposed within the member as shown in Fig. 7.

A third member 64 is received between the bottom wall 66 of member 60 and the bottom face of the rail. 22 of the supporting frame. Members 60 and 64 are held in position on the top rail 22 by virtue of the gripping action of parts 53 and 54 over the rail 22.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the depending part of portion 54 of the facing strip, at one end of the strip, is cut away as at 55 and the remaining end of the strip is received between the under face of the rail 22 and the upper end of the side rail 26. The opposite end of the strip is similarly cut away and disposed between the rail 22 and the side rail 28. The nails 29, which secure the header and side rails together, pass through the facing strip and secure the strip in a positive manner to the supporting frame.

Overlying the opposed pair of stops 30 and 32 on the side rails 26 and 28 are the jamb members or subassemblies 50 and 51 of the outer window frame unit. Because the jamb members are complementally identical, similar reference numbers are applied to both. Each sub-assembly includes a jamb facing strip portion 70 shaped as shown in Fig. 3 and overlying the outer edge of the side rails 26 and 28. The facing strip is provided with a pair of opposed side wall members 72 and 74 which are tensioned toward each other to grip the faces of the side rails 26 and 28 thereby holding the facing strips in position on the side rails.

A flange portion 76 of each facing strip extends inwardly of the window opening and away from the side rails. Received over the flange of each jamb facing strip is the generally chair-shaped base jamb strip 80. One leg 82 of the base jamb strip is folded upon itself to form a flange receiving channel, the side walls of which are tensioned toward each other to grip the flange 76 of the facing strip. This folded leg 82 is extended as at 83 toward the side rail.

The body portion 84 of each of the base jamb strips extends inwardly of the window assembly from the outer edge of the positioning stop over the face of the stop and forms the bottom wall for a sash guide channel hereinafter described. The other leg of each of the chairshaped base jamb members is folded upon itself as at 86 to form a lip receiving channel, the side walls of which are tensioned toward each other. The channel 86 of each of the base jamb strips is tensioned toward the extension 83 of the other leg of the strip so that the base jamb strip when received over the flange 76 of the facing strip is tensioned about the positioning stop. This tensioning of the legs of the base jamb strips serves to hold both the base jamb strips and the jamb facing strips in position on the positioning stops. The positioning of the base jamb strips upon the stops is also aided by the tensioning of the side walls of the leg 82 so that they grippingly engage the flange 76 of the facing strip.

A runway element 88, having a lip portion 90, is mounted upon each of the base jamb strips by the interfitting of the lip 90 and the channel formed in leg 86 of the base jamb strips. This element 88 is formed of individual upper and lower sections 92 and 94 as shown in Figs. 7-10. The lower section 92 is shaped to provide a sash guide channel 96 for a lower sash L-196. The side walls 98 and 100 of the lower section are tensioned toward each other to grip the sash and hold it in adjusted elevated positions. The outer side wall 98 extends toward the inner wall 100 to provide at the upper edge of wall 98 a sash supporting seat for an upper sash as hereinafter described. The upper section is similar to the lower section but is not provided with the inwardly extending portion 98. However, the upper section is shaped to define a sash guide channel by the cooperation of the side walls 104 and 92. Both the upper and lower sections may be removable from the base jamb strip, or in the alternative the lower section may be permanently secured as by nails or the like to the base jamb strip.

A wall 104 of the upper section and the wall 106 of the lower section are adapted to cooperate with the folded leg 82 of the base jamb strip to form therebetween an outer sash guide channel runway extending from the header member to the sill member. The inwardly extending portion 98 of the lower section, at the top of the section, serves as a seat for sash U-62 disposed thereabove in the sash guide runway channel 96.

As shown in Fig. 7 the sill member 106 of the outer window frame unit is composed of two pieces 108 and 110. Piece 118 is channel shaped and adapted to overlie the sill positioning stop 38 with the walls 112 and 114 of the channel shape tensioned toward each other to grip the stop. The wall 112 of member is folded upon itself as at 116 to extend upwardly away from the bottom wall 118 of the member and form an inner upstanding lip thereon. The leg 114 of the member is folded upon itself as at 118 to form a flange receiving chmnel adapted to grip the flange portion 120 of member 108.

The member 108 is V-shaped in cross section with a leg 122 extending downwardly toward the sill rail 24 and the other leg grippingly received within the folded leg 113 of the channel shaped sill member 110'.

A generally channel shaped outer sill facing strip 124, shaped as shown in Fig. 7, overlies the sill rail with a portion 126 extending along beneath the positioning stop 38 and the sill member 106 of the outer window frame unit. Another portion 123 is adapted to abut the lower face of the sill rail 24 and fit between such face and the upper edge of the sill member in a window opening wall structure in which the assembly is adapted to be mounted. Apertures 130 and 132 are provided through the legs 112 and 114 which apertures are adapted to act as drainholes for water that might collect inwardly of the outer unit. As shown in Fig. 11, the ends of the sill facing strip are received between the lower end of the side rails and the upper face of the sill rail.

Spaced inwardly of the outer unit is the inner unit 46. The base jamb strips 134 of the inner unit are similar to the base jamb strips of the outer unit except that the leg 136 which corresponds to leg 82 of the base jamb strips of the outer unit is not folded upon itself to provide a flange receiving channel. A runway element 138 similar to the runway element 88 in the outer unit is provided and includes upper and lower individual sections. The description of such sections with respect to the outer unit applies as well to the sections of the iner unit except that the upper section 139 is provided with a hand grip portion 140 which is an extension of the inner side wail of the section.

It will be noted that the lower section 141 of the sash guide channel element 138 is provided with a sash seat formed at the upper end of the inwardly extending wall 142, similar to the sash seat formed by the upper end of portion 98 in the corresponding section in the element of the other unit. Nails 143 or the like may be employed to permanently secure the lower sections 141 to the positioning stops 34 and 36. As with the outer unit, the upper sections of the runway elements are removable.

The legs 136 and 144 of each of the base jamb strips of the inner unit, as with corresponding legs of the outer unit, are tensioned toward each other to grippingly engage the positioning stops 34 and 36. An inner facing strip 145 overlies the inner edge of the side rails 26 and 28 and is adapted to extend beneath the positioning stops 34 and 36 and beneath the base jamb strips. It will be noted that this facing strip terminates just short of the jamb members of the outer unit.

As with the outer unit, the sash guide channel elements 138 of the inner unit cooperate with walls 134 to form outer sash guide channel runways 150. As with the runway elements of outer unit, the upper section 139 of the runway elements of the inner unit are removable from the base jamb strips. By the removal of such strips, and as hereinafter described, sashes mounted in the inner unit may be removed therefrom.

The inner unit also includes a header membr 152 and a sill member 154. The header comprises an inner header facing strip, channel shaped to exhibit a side wall portion 156 overlying the upper face of the header rail 22, a bottom wall 158 overlying the inner edge of the header rail, and another side wall portion 160 tensioned toward the opposed wall 156 to grip the header rail therebetween as shown in Fig. 7. Side wall 160 is bent downwardly adjacent its marginal edge to provide a depending flange 162. A generally channel-shaped sash top rail receiving member 164 is provided with opposed side walls 166 and 168 tensioned toward each other to grip the top rail of sash U-170 therebetween. The outer wall 166 of member 164 is folded upon itself as at 172 to form a reinforced marginal edge for the wall, and the inner wall 168 is folded upon itself as at 174 to form a flange receiving channel, the side walls of which are tensioned toward each other to grip the flange 162 therebetween. The gripping engagement of the flange receiving channel and the flange 162, serve to support the member 164 in position against the lower face of the header rail 22 of the supporting frame. As shown in Figs. 11 and 13, the side wall 160 of the facing strip is carried to the end of the header rail 22 and between the lower face of the rail and the upper edge of the side rail 28. The same construction applies as well at the opposite end of the facing strip and the header rail. The depending flange 162 terminates as at 176. Nails 29 or the like, which secure the supporting frame together, pass through the ends of the facing strip to hold it in place on the header rail 22.

The sill member 154 of the inner unit is chair-shaped in cross section with the legs 178 and 180 of the chairshape tensioned toward each other to grip the sill positioning stop therebetween. The outer leg 178 is folded upon itself as shown in Fig. 7, and terminates spaced above portion 126 of the outer sill facing strip 124 providing a space 179; and the inner leg 180 extends upwardly inwardly of the window opening, and is folded upon itself as at 182 to form the back of the chair-shape, or an upstanding ledge for the sill member.

A channel-shaped inner sill facing strip 184 overlies the inner edge of the sill rail 24 with a portion 186 extending beneath the sill positioning stop. The marginal edge of portion 186 terminates short of the upper portion 126 of the outer sill facing strip 124 providing a space 188 therebetween.

The spacing provided at 179 and 188 prevents any direct transfer of heat or cold from the outer sill facing strip to the inner sill facing strip, or to the inner sill member 154. It will be noted that a spacing is provided as at 190 between the member 64 at the header and the sash top rail receiving channel 164 of the header member of the inner unit. This latter spacing prevents direct transmission of heat or cold from the header member of the outer unit to the header of the inner unit. Between adjacent jamb members of the units forming the jamb assemblies, a spacing is provided as at 192 and 194. This spacing occurs more specifically between the inner jamb facing strips 145 and the folded leg 90 of the chair-shaped jamb members of the outer unit. Such spacing prevents direct transmission of heat or cold from the jamb members of the outer unit to the jamb members of the inner unit.

It isthus apparent that the window frame assembly includes a pair of spaced apart individual metal window frame units mounted within a nonconductive supporting frame in a manner such that heat or cold will be unable to be conducted from one unit to the other. This prevents the inner unit from sweating on cold days when the room in which the window assembly is installed is heated. It will be noted that at no place along the perimeter of the window frame units is there any direct contact between them.

While the units are spaced apart to prevent the transmission of heat or cold from one unit to the other, the spacing apart of the units along adjacent headers, sills, and jamb members is of a character such that a sash removed from the outer unit may be disposed within the space between the units.

Such spacing apart of the units results in what may be termed four sash receiving channels connected together at opposite ends and extending around the inside of the window assembly.

The sash receiving channel in the header assembly is indicated at 189, the sash receiving channel in the sill assembly is indicated at 191, and the opposed jamb assemblies exhibit the sash receiving channels 193 and 195.

With the provision of these sash receiving channels, the sashes may be removed from the outer unit through the inner unit. This enables the sashes in the outer unit to be removed from the window assembly by a person standing in the room, in the wall of which the window frame assembly is mounted.

The window frame structure herein described when completely assembled, i. e., when the sashes are mounted in the guide channels and the removable elements disposed in their respective positions, is of a character which prevents removal of the sashes either inwardly or outwardly of the window assembly by a person outside of the building. This prevents unauthorized persons from gaining entrance to a room in the wall of which the assembly is mounted.

Outward removal of the sashes is prevented by the opposed outer sash guide channel outer walls 82 of the outer unit, and the opposed outer sash guide channel walls 136 of the inner unit. These walls, as hereinbefore mentioned, extend from the header assembly to the sill assembly. They are not removable from the assembly as are the inner runway elements. The outer walls project inwardly of the window opening away from the jamb faces of the jamb members of each unit. The jamb members of each unit are of equal size and the outer sash guide channel walls project inwardly of the jamb faces an equal distance, all as shown in Figs. 3-6.

The amount of this projection bears a definite relationship to the depth of the sash receiving channels 193 and 195 in the jamb assemblies. The projection of these outer sash guide channel outer walls in one jamb assembly beyond the jamb faces of the jamb members of such assembly, is less than the depth of the sash receiving channel in the opposed jamb assembly, when such depth is measured from the jamb faces of the members adjacent the channel to the bottom wall of the channel. This relationship may be defined in another manner. The perpendicular distance between the sash guide channel side walls 136136 of the inner unit, or between the walls 82-82 of the outer unit, is less than the perpendicular distance between the bottom walls 161. and 163 (Fig. 5) of the sash receiving channels. This relationship of projection of the outer sash guide channel outer walls of one jamb assembly to the depth of the sash receiving channel in the opposed jamb assembly, permits a sash mounted in the outer assembly to be removed inwardly therefrom and disposed in the sash receiving channels of the jamb members, as shown by sash L-196 in solid lines in Fig. 6; and thereafter by shifting the sash laterally and angling it to the position shown by dotted outline, the sash may be removed from the window assembly through the inner unit.

Five sashes are adapted to be slidably supported in the sash guide runways of the jamb assemblies, three sashes U-62, L-196 and L-198 in the outer unit, and two 7 sashes U-l'll) and L-2 02 in the inner unit. L-196 is a screen sash; the remainder are window pane sashes.

To remove the sashes from the window assembly, when they are disposed as shown in Fig. 7, the upper sections 152 of the runway elements supported on the jamb members 136 of the inner unit, are first removed by grasping the finger grip portions 140 and drawing the elements inwardly of the window opening. Fig. 5 shows section 152 removed from the jamb assemblies with L-202 disposed in a lowered position within the inner sash guide channels of the inner unit. Upon raising sash 14-202, it may be removed from the frame assembly outwardly thereof or toward the right as viewed in Fig. 7. Sash Ul70 is then slightly elevated so that its lower rail 204 may be raised ofi the sash supporting seat provided by the upper endsof side walls 142 of the lower section of the runway elements 138. The lower rail may then be swung outwardly of the frame assembly and the sash completely removed.

The sashes U62 and U170 are of identical construction, and a description of one sufiices for both. The lower rail of sash U170 is shaped to define an upwardly opening pane receiving channel 206 and a downwardly opening channel 208 which is adapted to fit over the top rail of a sash disposed directly below. The lower rail of U17il exhibits an L-shaped ledge portion 210. This ledge is adapted to rest upon the sash supporting seat of the lower sections of the runway elements. The upwardly projecting leg of the L-shaped ledge is adapted to abut the lip 212 of the top rail 114 of sash L202. Such abutment provides a weather seal along the meeting points of the rails.

To remove the sashes disposed in the outer unit, the upper sections 94 of the runway element 88 are removed in the same manner as the corresponding upper sections in the inner unit. Sash. L498 is then elevated and removed from the outer unit, as was sash L-202 removed from the inner unit, and disposed with the sash receiving channels of the frame assembly. Thereafter, as above described, the sash is shifted and angled within the sash receiving channel and removed from the frame assembly through the inner unit. Sashes U62 and L-196 are thereafter removed in a similar manner. To install the sashes the reverse of the above procedure is employed.

In Fig. 9 sash U470 has been removed from the window assembly and the upper sections 13S replaced in the inner unit. Sash 198 is partially raised. With the sashes so disposed, at no-draft ventilation is accomplished. The air passing through the assembly follows the arrows.

With the same sashes employed as in Fig. 9, but with sash L498 elevated and resting in the ledge of the lower rail of sash U62 corresponding to ledge 212 of sash Ul'Ttl, and with sash L432 elevated, all as shown in Fig. 10, air passesdirectly through the frame assembly. A variety of combinations of the sashes, and a variety of positions can be effected, each combination and position giving rise to different ventilating characteristics.

It is to be noted that side walls 98 and 100 of the power sections 92 of the runway elements in the outer unit are tensioned toward each other. This not only permits a sash disposed in the guide channels formed by such walls to be vertically adjustably positioned, but also provides a weather tight seal between the jamb assemlies and such sash. The same is true of the lower sections 14! in the inner unit. in addition the walls 164 of the runway elements are tensioned toward the outer walls 32 of the outer sash guide channels. Such tensioning effects a weather tight seal between the jamb assemblies and sashes disposed in the outer sash guide channels. A similar tensioning of the corresponding side walls of the upper sections of the runway element 138, effects a weather tight seal in the same manner with sashes disposed in the outer sash guide channels of the inner unit.

What I claim is:

1. A window frame assembly comprising: a rectangular supporting frame having opposed side rails: a pair of individual window frame units disposed laterally spaced, apart within the supporting frame; each unit including opposed complementary jamb members defining opposed complementary sash runway channels and having jamb faces spaced inwardly of the window opening and inwardly from the opposed faces of the side rails, said jamb faces constituting the bottoms of the sash runway channels, adjacent ja-mb members of the pair of frame units defining there'between a pair of opposed sash receiving channels whose bottom walls are formed by the opposed faces of the side rails and spaced apart a distance sufiiciently greater than the space between the bottoms of an adjacent pair of runway channels plus the height of the adjacent side wall of one runway channel above the bottom thereof whereby a sash disposed within said sash receiving channels may be shifted and angled so that a side frame of the sash may be passed between the opposed. sash guide channel side walls of said one unit and the sash thereafter removed from the assembly through such unit.

'2. In a window frame assembly: a Pair of complementary opposed jamb assemblies; the opposed jamb faces of said assemblies being complementally shaped to define two pairs of opposed inner and outer sash guide channels and an intermediate pair of opposed sash receiving channels; and the bottom wall of the intermediate channel in at least one of the jamb assemblies being offset outwardly away from the window opening beyond the bottom wall of an adjacent sash guide channel a distance not less than the height of the adjacent side wall of the inner sash guide channel such that a sash removed from the outer pair of channels and. disposed in the intermediate channels may be shifted and angled therein so that a side frameof the sash may pass between the inner pair of opposed guide channels and the sash removed from thewindow frame assembly between such latter pair of opposed channels.

3. In a window frame assembly: a pair of complementary opposed jamb assemblies; the opposed jamb faces of said assemblies being complementally shaped to define complementary opposed inner and outer sash guide channels spaced apart laterally by an intermediate pair of opposed sash receiving'channels, side wall portions of the outer pair of channels adjacent the intermediate channels being removably supported on the jamb assemblies; and the bottom wall of the intermediate channel in at least one of the jamb assemblies being ofi'set outwardly away from the window opening beyond the bottom wall of an adjacent sash guide channel such that the distance between said bottom wall of the intermediate channel and the margin of the opposite adjacent side wall of the inner guide channel is sufliciently greater than the distance between the margins of opposed side walls of said guide channels whereby a sash removed from the outer pair of channels and disposed in the intermediate channels may be shifted and angled therein so that a side frame of the sash may pass between the inner pair of opposed guide channels and the sash removed from the window frame assembly between such latter pair of opposed channels.

4. In a window frame assembly: a pair of complementary opposed jamb assembliesythe opposed faces of said assemblies beingcomplementally' shaped to define complementary opposed inner and outer sash guide channels spaced apart laterally by an intermediate pair of opposed sash receivingchannels of greater width than a sash guide channel, the inner and outer channels pro vided with stationary opposed outer sash guide channel walls and removable opposed inner sash guide channel walls; and the bottom wall of the intermediate channel in one of the jamb assemblies being offset away from the window opening beyond thebottom wall of the adjacent inner sash guide channelga distance exceeding the height of the outer wall of said inner'sashguide channel above the plane of: the bottom wall thereof.

S. A window frame assembly comprising: a rectangular supporting frame having opposed side rails; a pair of inner and outer individual window frame units mounted laterally spaced apart within the frame; each unit including a pair of opposed complementary jamb members overlying the opposed faces of the side rails and defining between adjacent jamb members of the units and the opposed faces of the side rails between the jamb members a pair of opposed sash receiving channels; the jamb faces of the inner unit along the margins adjacent the intermediate channels exhibiting a pair of opposed complementary sash guide channel side walls; the distance between the margin of one such side wall and the opposite face of the side rail defining the bottom wall of the opposed sash receiving channel being sufliciently greater than the distance between the opposed side walls of a sash guide channel such that a sash removed from the outer unit and disposed within the receiving channel may be shifted and angled therein so that a side frame of the sash may be passed between the opposed adjacent side walls of the inner unit.

6. A window frame assembly comprising: a rectangular supporting frame having opposed wood side rails; inner and outer individual metal window frame units mounted within the frame; each unit having a pair of opposed complementary sash guide channels, said units spaced apart laterally within the frame a distance not less than the width of a sash guide channel defining a pair of opposed sash receiving channels between said units, the bottoms of said sash receiving channels being formed by the opposed faces of the wood side rails; the outer side wall of each guide channel extending throughout the height of the unit and being fixed; the inner side wall of each guide channel having a half length section removably mounted thereon and cooperating with the outer wall and the jamb face to define the sash guide channel; the bottom of each inner sash guide channel being spaced above the bottom of the adjacent sash receiving channel a distance not less than the height of the outer side wall of the inner sash guide channel above the bottom thereof.

7. In a window frame assembly: a pair of opposed Cir complementary jamb assemblies provided with an outer pair and an inner pair of opposed complementary sash runway channels, the inner pair of runway channels spaced inwardly along the jamb members from the outer pair of runway channels by a sash receiving channel space of a width not less than the width of an adjacent runway channel and of a depth not less than the depth of an adjacent runway channel.

8. A window frame assembly as defined in claim 7 characterized in that the sash receiving channels between the runway channels each has a depth greater than the depth and a width greater than the width of either adjacent runway channel, and the outer side wall of each pair of runway channels is fixed and continuous for the length of the channel and the side walls of the inner pair and the outer pair of runway channels has one portion which is fixed and extends for substantially half the length of the runway channel and another portion which is removable and extends for substantially half the length of the runway channel.

9. A window frame assembly as defined in claim 7 characterized in that each jamb assembly comprises a wood jamb base member and an inner and an outer metal sash runway unit and the metal sash runway units are spaced apart laterally on the window jamb member to provide the intermediate sash receiving channel space, and the bottoms of the sash runway channels are offset inwardly of the window opening from the bottoms of the sash receiving channel spaces between the runway channels by a distance not less than the depth of a sash runway channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,952,957 Wieting Mar. 27, 1934 2,549,031 Sylvan Apr. 17, 1951 2,614,665 Floyd Oct. 21, 1952 2,618,326 Sylvan Nov. 18, 1952 2,654,452 Priem Oct. 6, 1953 

